Surface-Wave Magnitude
“Surface-Wave Magnitude” is the magnitude of an earthquake that scientists estimate using measurements of the amplitude of surface waves.
“Surface-Wave Magnitude” is the magnitude of an earthquake that scientists estimate using measurements of the amplitude of surface waves.

Maximum Soil Screening Levels (MSLs) Maximum Soil Screening Levels (MSLs): MSLs are a list of risk-based hydrocarbon concentrations for soil pollution evaluations, that is developed by the California Regional Water Quality Control Board. These screening levels are based on the Leaking Underground Fuel Tanks (LUFT) Manual, for cleaning up soil contamination from leaking USTs. However, MSLs…

Translational Slide Landslide Translational Slide: In the seismology branch of geology, a translational slide is a type of landslide movement that occurs predominantly along a planar surface. Alternatively, this movement can occur along gently undulating surfaces. For instance, the Palona Schist metamorphic bedrock on the eastern embankment of the former St. Francis Dam comprises an…

Moment Magnitude (M) Moment Magnitude (M): In the seismology branch of geology, moment magnitude is the magnitude of an earthquake that scientists estimate by using the Seismic Moment.

Dip-Slip Fault Dip-Slip Fault: In geology, a dip-slip fault is any fault in which the earth’s movement is parallel with the dip of the fault plane. For example, a normal fault, reverse fault, or listric fault. The opposite of a dip-slip fault is a strike-slip fault.

Sand Boil A “Sand Boil” is a cone-shaped deposit of sand that is formed during an earthquake. A Sand Boil occurs when subsurface sand layers liquefy and are then blown to the surface through cracks.

Seismic Risk Definition Seismic risk is the probability that a subject site will be adversely affected by any seismic hazard, such as an earthquake. Seismic risk tends to increase in areas that are more earthquake-prone and vulnerable to damage. And vulnerability refers to the potential impact on people, as well as properties. For instance, places…